FORECAST

As of yesterday, three major storm pulses were expected to arrive next week and bring up to 8 inches at the coast and 20 inches in the mountains. The heaviest downpours could arrive Thursday, when thunderstorms and the strongest winds are likely, the National Weather Service said.

SUGGESTED PREPARATIONS

• Don’t try to drive through a flooded street if you can’t see the road. It only takes a few inches of rain to sweep away a car.

• For information on road closures, visit sdcounty.ca.gov/dpw/emergency.html or twitter.com/sdcountydpw.

• Stock up on emergency supplies, including a first-aid kit, prescription drugs, a portable radio, food, flashlights and spare batteries.

• Keep plastic sheeting and plywood on hand for repairs.

• Clean out gutters and drains.

• Turn off automated irrigation systems.

• Check for beach closures before venturing into the ocean. Contamination is common during and after heavy storms.

• Use the free sandbags provided by local governments to protect property, but be sure not to block county culverts. Here are some locations, and bring your own shovel:

San Diego:

Fire Station 15, 4711 Voltaire St. in Ocean Beach

Fire Station 21, 750 Grand Ave. in Pacific Beach

Fire Station 28, 3880 Kearny Villa Road in the Kearny Mesa-Montgomery Field area

San Diego County could be headed for its wettest week in more than a decade.

A succession of storms is expected to bring heavy rain beginning Monday, and there may be only a few short breaks through Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Computer forecast models are calling for 5 to 8 inches of precipitation at the coast by the end of the week and more than 20 inches in the mountains — a year’s worth of rain for some locations.

“People should take this series (of storms) seriously,” said Ivory Small, a forecaster at the weather service’s Rancho Bernardo office. “It could be quite memorable. There are going to be some daily records set, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some two- or three-day records set, as well. It’s got all that potential.”

Eight inches of rain in a week would rank among the biggest deluges in San Diego history. Since record-keeping began in 1850, the city has received more than 8 inches in a month only four times.